‘Amit Shah Ji, Where Are You’: Oppn Questions Centre, Delhi Police Over Women Journalists’ Harassment Complaints

Opposition leaders from the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday questioned the Centre and Delhi Police over the alleged sexual harassment of three women journalists during Saturday’s protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding to know why an FIR had not been registered.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said registering an FIR was the police’s “basic duty” and questioned why the government was allegedly reluctant to register a woman’s complaint.

Rahul Gandhi Questions Delhi Police

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi alleged “misconduct at Jantar Mantar” and said cameras were snatched and journalists were dragged during the protest.

“There are allegations of misconduct with women protesters,” Gandhi said, adding that similar instances of alleged police misconduct with women had previously been captured on video.

He also questioned the Centre over the Delhi Police’s handling of the complaints.

“A government that fears registering even one woman’s complaint—what exactly is it protecting?” Gandhi asked.

Pointing out that the Delhi Police comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, he directly questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying he would have to answer for the matter.

Priyanka Gandhi Targets Centre

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the Centre, saying that the police’s responsibility was to provide security to women.

She alleged that no concrete action had been taken despite complaints from women involved in peaceful protests.

“Women engaged in peaceful protests also allege that the police are behaving very indecently with them,” she said, questioning whether this was an appropriate way to treat women.

AAP Questions FIR Delay

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, who joined the protest outside Parliament Street Police Station where one of the journalists and her lawyer were present, also criticised the delay.

Bharadwaj said failure to register an FIR was “not merely a procedural lapse” and alleged that it could amount to a punishable offence under Section 199(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Three Women Journalists File Complaints

Three women journalists have accused senior Delhi Police officers of sexual harassment and alleged manhandling during their detention at Saturday’s protest against the Election Commission at Jantar Mantar.

Delhi Police said on Sunday that it had received their complaints and forwarded them to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry.”

DCP Neha Yadav said the three women approached the police at around 6 pm on Saturday and alleged that they had been manhandled by Delhi Police officers and personnel during their detention.

“Their complaint has been registered, medical examinations have been conducted, and the matter has been referred to the Crime Branch,” Yadav told ANI.

She also appealed to anyone possessing relevant video footage to share it with the Crime Branch.

Delhi Police Cites Protest Restrictions

According to Yadav, AISA and other organisations held the October 3 protest despite restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi district.

The complaints will now be examined by the Crime Branch as the political Opposition continues to demand accountability and action over the allegations made by the three journalists.